Anahat Singh made history in Toronto by becoming India's first-ever World Junior Squash champion, defeating Egypt's second seed Ruqayya Salem in straight games in the final — and the 18-year-old Delhi player is already looking beyond the title, with the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics firmly in her sights. The triumph, achieved on 27 July, also ended Egypt's long stranglehold on the girls' event and surpassed Joshna Chinappa's runner-up finish in 2005 as India's best-ever result at the tournament.

A Historic Final in Toronto

Anahat's path to the title required her to defeat three Egyptian players in succession, culminating in the final against Salem. She opened the match with a dominant 11-3 first game, followed by an 11-7 second. Salem threatened a comeback, taking an 8-6 lead in the third game, but the Indian teenager held her nerve to close it out 11-9 and secure the championship. The victory was her final appearance at the World Junior Championships, adding an extra layer of significance to the result.

The Olympic Dream and the Asian Games Route

With squash newly included in the Olympic programme, Anahat acknowledged the opportunity it represents for a generation of players. 'Every squash player is over the moon that squash is in the Olympics. No one ever really thought we'd get this opportunity. I'm really looking forward to having a shot at qualifying through the Asian Games. If it doesn't happen there, there are other ways as well,' she said after the final.

The Asian Games offer a direct qualification pathway to LA 2028 through the gold medal. Anahat, however, said she was approaching the challenge without added pressure. 'The Olympics are a bonus, but my mentality remains the same. I just want to make sure that I'm at my best,' she said.

PSA Tour Experience and the Coaches Behind Her Rise

Anahat credits her regular appearances on the PSA Tour — competing against players ranked in the top 10 and top 20 — as a key factor in her junior title win. Her coaching team includes former world No. 1 Gregory Gaultier and Indian squash legend Saurav Ghosal, with whom she has worked for nearly two years. 'Greg and Saurav have worked a lot on my consistency and making sure I'm mentally and physically strong enough to back up against the top players,' she said in an interaction facilitated by the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

Ghosal, who was present courtside in Canada, offered an emotional tribute on social media. 'The world will see what you produced on the day. You know I don't say it often, but it was good! You finally put it all together when it mattered the most. But the real fight was won before you stepped on court. The work you've put in made the difference,' he wrote. He added: 'You've made yourself proud and done something special for Indian squash. The best thing is there's hope of so much more to come.'

Overcoming Heartbreak and Handling Pressure

Anahat's road to the title was not without setbacks. In the two previous editions of the World Junior Championships, she came close to the final but lost from winning positions. 'I've learned how to handle pressure better. In the last two World Juniors, I was really close to reaching the final and ended up losing after leading. I'm glad I didn't make the same mistake again this time,' she said.

Her national coach highlighted the mental dimension of the victory. 'This is a huge achievement, especially after three heartbreaking losses at previous World Junior Championships. In those crucial moments, my role wasn't just about strategy — it was about understanding what she was feeling, making sure she stayed mentally strong and emotionally stable,' he said. He added that in the decisive third game, the focus was entirely on one point at a time rather than the end result.

Support System and What Comes Next

Anahat also acknowledged the institutional backing that underpinned her success. 'SAI, Indian Squash and the Government of India have supported me throughout my junior and senior career. Having coaches like Greg and Saurav by my side has completely changed my game,' she said. Her parents, she noted, have played a crucial role in keeping her grounded amid rising expectations. 'My parents have always pushed me to believe that you don't have to think too much about what other people expect from you,' she said.

With the World Junior title secured, Anahat Singh's attention now turns to the Asian Games and, beyond that, the first-ever Olympic squash competition at Los Angeles 2028 — a stage that Indian squash, for the first time in its history, has a genuine shot at reaching.